Decrease in road deaths in 2018 from previous year

Provisional road collision statistics for 2018 show the state recorded a 4% drop in road deaths than the previous year, despite there being more fatal crashes in 2018.

Record Low for Road Fatalities
According to provisional statistics from the Gardaí, a total of 150 people lost their lives on roads in the State in 2018 as a result of 142 fatal crashes.

Analysis of these figures was carried by the Road Safety Authority and shoes that the 2018 statistic compares to 156 lives lost in 141 fatal crashes in 2017, and represents 7 fewer fatalities, or a 4% drop in deaths.

Garda Roads Policing (Pic: InsideIreland.ie)

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross said although the figures are marginally improved, ‘they are not good enough’.

“Speed continues to kill (130,000 drivers were detected committing speeding offences in 2018). Drink driving persists and unaccompanied learner drivers continue to break the law. Reckless road users cannot be allowed to ruin the lives of innocent others and their families. In 2019 the crusade to improve road safety and save lives will accelerate.”

Ms Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the RSA called for funding to be provided to An Garda Síochána to enable the national roll out of new smartphone and in-vehicle technology, commonly referred to as the Garda Mobility Project, which allows individual garda check the licence and insurance status of drivers at the roadside.

Ms. Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, RSA said ‘while one death is one too many the reduction in road deaths in 2018 is welcome’.

“However, while deaths did drop, the number of actual fatal collisions was one more than last year. So the real difference between 2018 and 2017 is that in 2018 there were fewer fatal crashes that resulted in multiple fatalities. Of serious concern though is the number of pedestrian deaths that occurred in 2018. There was a 32% increase in pedestrian casualties (41) compared to 2017 (31). Closer examination of 2018 pedestrian casualties reveals that 54% (22) of deaths were of those aged 55 years or older. Pedestrian safety, particularly the safety of older persons, will therefore be a key priority for the RSA in 2019.”

Road Fatalities 2018

Jan-June

According to provisional figures from the PSNI and the Gardaí, the breakdown of fatalities from January to June: 19 people died on roads across the island in January (of which 7 were in NI), with 13 in February (1 in NI), 15 (1 in NI) in March, 19 in April (2 in NI), 12 in May (6 in NI), 21 in June (4 in Northern Ireland) meaning provisionally 99 people died on the roads over Ireland in the first six months of 2018.

July-December

According to provisional statistics from PSNI and An Garda Síochána, 16 people died on roads in July (including 6 in NI), and in August, 15 people died (3 in NI). In September, provisional statistics for the month so far suggest 13 people have died in the State, with eight in the North. In October, 16 people died (including 8 in NI) in that month.

By 30 November, provisional Garda statistics were that 17 people died on the state’s roads, with 3 in Northern Ireland during that month.

Provisionally, 14 people died on the state’s roads in December, with three in Northern Ireland for this month.

With the latest death in December, the provisional statistics are that 150 people died on the state’s roads, with 55 dead in in NI, meaning provisionally, 205 people have died on roads across the island so far in 2018.

The last fatal road collisions on island of Ireland in December

Co Cork
A 16 year old female pedestrian seriously injured in road traffic collision in Ballincollig, Co Cork on Monday, December 31 2018 was pronounced dead on 1 January 2019 at University Hospital Cork.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has any information is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 4946200.

Co Limerick
A motorcyclist died when his motorbike collided with a car and another motorcycle on the Limerick/Kerry border on 30 December.

The incident happened on the N69 Limerick side, between Glin and Tarbert at around 12:40pm.

The other motorcyclist was taken to Limerick University Hospital with ‘non life threatening injuries’. There were no injuries reported by the occupants of the car.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, particularly anyone who may have dash cam footage, to contact Gardaí in Newcastlewest on 069 20650.

Co Cork
A man died after the car he was driving left the road and struck a fence on the Old Dublin Road in Co Cork on 30 December.

Gardaí said they attended the scene around 7am on R639 near J18 (Sallybrook /Glanmire) off the M8 motorway.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station 021-4558510 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111

Garda Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign

Gardaí said they conducted speed detections on 27 December as part of the Christmas and New Year road safety campaign and out of 101,900 vehicles monitored by the safety cameras, ‘476 vehicles were detected driving in excess of the speed limit’.

An Garda Síochána (Pic: Inside Ireland.ie)

One vehicle was clocked doing 122 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, while driving along the R810 at Mount Brown, in Dublin 8, while one was found to be doing 116 km/h in an 80 zone in Ballinasloe, Galway.

One motorcycle was clocked doing 198 km/h in a 100 km/ zone along the N5, in Drummindoo, Westport, Co Mayo.

An Garda Síochána said it wished to thank the ‘vast majority of drivers who drive responsibly on the roads’, however it warned that ‘there are still many who do not’ and that speeding is a ‘major factor in fatal road traffic collisions’.

Other Fatal Road Collisions in December across the island

Co Armagh
A 46-year-old man died after he was struck by a car on the Moy Road in Armagh on 27 December.

He was the 16th pedestrian to die on the North’s roads in 2018.

Co Longford
A man died after he was struck by a car at Cleenrath, Aughnacliffe, Co Longford on 26 December.

The 62- year-old man was fatally injured when he was struck by a car around 7pm. He was the 42nd pedestrian to die on the state’s roads in 2018.

The driver of the car was uninjured.

Gardaí in Granard are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Granard Garda Station on 043 – 6687660, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station

Co Laois
A 31 year old male died when the car he was driving hit a tree at Ballybrophy, Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois around 9.10am on 23 December.

(Pic: Inside Ireland.ie)

He was pronounced dead at the scene, his body was removed to the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise for Post Mortem examination. No else was involved.

Investigating Gardaí wish to appeal for witnesses, to any person who travelled on the R435 Borris-in-Ossory to Rathdowney Road between 8.30am and 9.30am on Sunday morning and to anyone who may have Dash Cam footage to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057-8674100, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Co Meath
The 60-year-old woman who was in a ‘serious’ condition in hospital following a single vehicle collision on the Oldbridge to Donore Road in Co Meath on Saturday 22 December, died the following night.

She was the former Irish Times literary correspondent Eileen Battersby.

Her daughter, Nadia was also injured in the incident, which happened around 2pm, was taken to the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Ashbourne Garda station on 01 8010600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Co Meath
A 24-year-old man died when the car he was a passenger in was involved in a collision with another vehicle at Boynabought, Kilmainhamwood, Kells, Co Meath on 21 December.
In addition to the victim, the 24 year old driver of the same car was taken to hospital, as was the driver of the other vehicle.Gardaí in Navan are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or to contact Navan Garda Station on 046-9036100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Serious Collision, Santry
Gardai at Santry are appealing for witnesses in relation to a hit an run collison at Swords Road, Santry on Thursday 19 December. A motorcycle knocked two men in their 80s down on the city-bound side of the roadway adjacent to Morton Stadium.

Both pedestrians were taken to hospital where one remains in a ‘serious but stable’ condition. The other man received minor injuries.

Gardaí are appealing for anybody who may have witnessed the collision and any Taxi drivers or other motorists who travelled along the road who may have dash-cams to contact Garda at Santry Garda Station, 01-6664000

Co Cork
A man died after he was struck by a car on the N27 Airport Road in Cork City, around 5.30am on the 15 December.

Gardaí at Togher Garda Station are appealing for witnesses who were driving along Kinsale Road, Cork between 5am-5.30am. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information or dash cam footage to contact Togher Garda Station on 021-4947120 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.

Co Down
A three-year-old boy died on 15 December, from injuries received after being struck by a car in Newtownards, Co Down, two days before.

The boy was knocked down around 5.20pm on 13 December on the Movilla Road.

Co Limerick
Gardaí said a pedestrian was ‘seriously injured’ when he was struck by a van on Main Street in the town of Hospital, Co Limerick on 12 December.

The 33-year-old victim was taken by ambulance to Limerick University Hospital, and Gardaí said his condition was ‘critical’. The driver of the van was uninjured.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, anyone with any information or anyone who may have been on the road between 5.25pm and 5.50pm to contact them at Bruff Garda station on 061 382940, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Co Armagh
A 93-year-old man died in a single vehicle collision on the Derrycoose Road in Co Armagh on 12 November.

The incident happened on the outskirts of Portadown, around 2.20pm.

Dublin
A man in his 60s died when he was struck by a car on the Finglas Road, Dublin 11, on 12 December.

Gardaí said they attended the scene of a traffic collision between a car and a pedestrian on the Finglas Road (inbound) shortly after 12.00pm on Wednesday afternoon.

The driver of the car was not injured.

Gardaí in Finglas are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or anyone who travelled on the Finglas road between 11:45am and 12:15pm to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01-6667500 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

Co Wicklow
A man is in a ‘critical condition’ in hospital when the car he was driving was involved in a crash with three other cars on the Bray to Greystones Road, Co Wicklow on 11 December.

The collision occurred at 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon, about one mile outside Bray. The 47-year-old victim is in a critical condition at St Vincent’s Hospital.

The injuries of the others involved is not believed to be life threatening.

Witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Bray Garda station on 01 6665300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Belfast
A 48-year-old pedestrian died after he was knocked down at the Andersonstown Road area of west Belfast on 10 December.Police have appealed for anyone who was travelling on the Andersonstown Road around the time of the collision and who witnessed anything or anyone who may have dashcam footage to contact officers in west Belfast on 101.

Dublin

A motorcyclist died later in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown on 10 December following an earlier collision on the N4 inbound at Lucan.

Gardaí said they attended the scene of a traffic collision between a car and a motorcycle on the Ballyowen (Woodies) exit, shortly after 10:30am on Monday morning.

The victim was later pronounced dead in hospital. The occupants of the car were not injured.

Gardaí in Lucan are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or anyone who was in the area between 10:15am and 10:45am to contact Lucan Garda Station on 01-6667300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

Waterford

A man in his 20s died after the car he was driving collided with a lorry on the N25 at Bawnard, Ardmore, Waterford in the early hours of Saturday 08 December.

The male driver of the lorry was taken to University Hospital Waterford with non life threatening injuries.

Witnesses who may have driven on the N25 between the hours of 4am and 5am from Youghal bridge to Dungarvan, and who may have dash cams in their vehicles are asked to contact Dungarvan Garda Station on 058 – 48600, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Co Donegal

A man died when the van he was driving crashed into a vacant house on the N15 at Cashelnavene, Ballybofey, Co Donegal, the 03 December.

The victim, the only person in the van, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone who was travelling in the area between 10:30pm and 11:30pm on 3rd December 2018 to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100.

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